Funding confirmed for cycleway study

The Ministry of Tourism has released funding for a feasibility study on the coast-to-coast cycleway concept which is to start immediately.

The study is to establish the viability of a cycleway linking the west and east coasts from Hokianga to the Bay of Islands as the first step towards a construction programme which could start early next year.

Identified in the study will be target markets for the resource, the requirements of these markets, construction and maintenance options, how the project should be administered and funded, employment opportunities, economic impacts and an implementation plan with cost assessments and timeframes.

The Kaikohe-Okaihau link in the cycleway has already been identified as one of the seven ‘Early Start’ projects in the government's national cycleway programme. However a construction start is dependent on the success of the proposed coast-to-coast cycleway.

If the study confirms viability, the 12 kilometre Okaihau-Kaikohe link is likely to be one of the first to be constructed with funding assistance under the government scheme. The full 90-kilometre coast-to-coast link will be staged to provide for development as further funding becomes available.

The cycleway concept came from the National Employment Summit and was identified as a “near term and high priority” project. The concept is being championed by Prime Minister, John Key.

"The pressure is going to be on completing the study in the next 11 weeks to make sure we get in early and make a case for further government assistance from the $9 million budget set aside for this financial year," Western Community Board chair and project champion Tracy Dalton says.

"The Prime Minister has already indicated that, should the study prove viable, construction of the 'early start' projects should be underway by April next year and it is important the Far North is ready in time to take full advantage of the opportunity”.

Project Manager of the study, Tania McInnes, says the study will require a collaborative approach across a number of government and non-government organisations. An important part of the work will be developing and implementing a consultation plan, which will include public workshops.

The public workshops will be held on Tuesday 27 October at the Okaihau Community Hall, Settlers Way, Okaihau and on Thursday 29 October at the Tuna Cafe, Moerewa. Both meetings will commence at 5.30pm. Refreshments will be provided on arrival.

"Because engineering aspects are a key component of the study, a local engineering and planning firm has already been identified to carry out the study. We expect a start within a matter of days," she says.

Further inquiries to:-

Tania McInnes

Project Manager

Coast-to-Coast Cycleway Feasibility Study

Email: cycleway@fndc.govt.nz

Mobile: 021 344 870